Theosophical Encyclopedia

TRIAl triaL TRIAl

Ananya Sri Ram – USA

Headquarters Building © JNK

Adyar, the international headquarters of the Theosophical Society, continues to be a special place for many of our members. With the serene beauty of its gardens, it has become a sacred refuge for stray animals, weary travelers, and members desiring to understand more about Theosophy and the Society. Walking through the gates of Adyar, people often feel as if they are walking into a different world. The atmosphere changes. Stillness is felt within and without. Things begin to slow down and the simplicity of life, foreign to many of us, begins to take over. It is obvious why the founders chose these particular grounds for their headquarters. Even though the estate is surrounded by the noise and chaos of the city of Madras, within Adyar's gates there remains a quality of beauty that is rare to find. It is no wonder that there is a day, February 17, set aside each year called Adyar Day.

Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil 

INTRODUCTION

In the beautiful summer of 2015, International Theosophy Conferences held its annual meeting in The Hague, the Netherlands. The theme was:” Helena Petrovna Blavatsky through different eyes with ONE Heart”.

Representatives of a number of theosophical organizations were invited to shed light on a part of their respective organization’s history and activities, in such a way that those who were not affiliated with the speakers’ own groups, would get to know more about the “others”, thus attempting to eliminate possible prejudices and misconceptions. Next to this objective the gathering was set up to bring the theosophical vehicles closer together.  I was asked to cover the TS-Adyar.  Although it had to be a concise and a kind of general overview, it was quite revealing and rewarding to share this with all participants.

In 2015 the Theosophical Movement celebrated its 140^th anniversary. Now, in 2025, while I pen this, the Movement is 150 years in motion, which is commemorated worldwide. I actually rediscovered the text of my 2015 presentation and after going over it, in order to join the celebrations, I decided to “update” the piece and republish it.

I need to point out that the article below, first of all is brief, entirely based on my own observations, and that it ought to be read as a personal account. Therefore, the various statements made in it do not necessarily convey the official stance of the TS-Adyar. I invite all of you, for a momen, to look backwards, to examine the current situation, thus preparing future generations, and ploughing the grounds for many cycles to come!  

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[This month, JULY 2025, the Theosophical Publishing House, Adyar, will be releasing a new volume of H. P. Blavatsky’s writings containing material previously unavailable in English. The book is part of the H. P. Blavatsky Collected Writings series and marks its concluding volume as planned by the compiler, Boris de Zirkoff. Comprised of English translations of the various series that HPB wrote for the Russian papers, the volume, titled Russian Serials, offers an insightful account of American life during the author’s time there, her attendance at a reception for the new Viceroy of India, and her visit to the Blue Mountains of Madras and the mysterious tribes that inhabited it. Russian Serials can be considered a companion piece to the other previously translated volume from the Russian papers, From the Caves and Jungles of Hindostan.

The following excerpt translated from the Tiflis Messenger of 25 September (13 September in Russian old-style calendar) 1878, written under the pseudonym of the “Voice”, is exemplar of HPB’s narrative style to be found throughout this book. It is based on an actual trip HPB, Col. Olcott, and a TS member took to East Hampton, NY*, in July 1878. Olcott records in his Diary that during the time they spent at the beach, HPB “presented a most amusing appearance, paddling about in the surf with her legs, and showing an infantile glee almost to be in such splendid magnetism” (cited in Gomes’ Dawning of the Theosophical Movement, 1987, p. 184). The rest of the story is now obtainable from TPH Adyar. — Michael Gomes]

Note from the editor:

*In the late 1870’s, East Hampton, New York, was transitioning from a rural farming community to a popular summer resort destination, attracting artists and wealthy families. The extension of the railway to Bridgehampton in the 1870’s made the area more accessible. This led to the development of boarding houses and the construction of "cottages," many in the Shingle style, on former farms and pastures.

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Jan Nicolaas Kind – Brazil

HOW DID WE DO IT IN 1975, WHEN WE CELEBRATED IN NEW YORK OUR 100^TH BIRTHDAY  DURING THE "CENTENNIAL" WORLD CONGRESS?

Now, while 50 years have passed and with the 12^th World Congress in Vancouver, Canada commemorating the Theosophical Society’s 150^th anniversary around the corner, we will take a walk down memory lane to see and hear how things were done at the Statler Hilton Hotel-New York, from November 14 -20, 1975. 

Entrance of the Statler Hotel, New York in the mid-seventies

INTRODUCTION

For many students of Theosophy the phenomenon of ONLINE (Zoom -YOUTUBE etc. ) sessions such as  special events, talks, interviews and courses have become some sort of a theosophical lifeline. I must admit, I was never really fond of any type of these online meetings, to me they seem to be very impersonal, so I’ve tried to stay away from them as much as possible.

A message from Ken Small - USA 

Ken Small knocking on doors for help

Friends of Lomaland

I am reaching out today for support in further developing and sustaining our Lomaland Theosophy Library, Archive and Art collection.

Henry Geiger (August 10, 1908 – 15 February 1989) was the editor, publisher, and chief writer of MANAS Journal which was published from 1948–1988.

He “had been variously a chorus boy on Broadway, a journalist, a conscientious objector in World War II, a commercial printer, and a lecturer at The United Lodge of Theosophists in Los Angeles.”